I am planning a trip in late August to explore some strips in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Originally we planned to stay at the Lucas Lodge on the Rogue but we picked the wrong weekend. They are having jet boat racing that weekend and Lucas Lodge is not permitting any operations at the airport. We are likely going to camp at Powers but are open to some other suggestions. My friend wants to see Shelter Cove - weather permitting. Thought we would try to find a good home base to camp along the border and explore some of the strips in the area. I am wondering if there are some good spots in and around the Trinity Alps. I have been into Hayfork and Ruth before. It really looks like mostly paved strips in that region.



Josh

Is Paradise Lodge operating still?

Powers has no shade and will be extremely hot (100+F) during Summer months. Bring an awning! The river flow will be very low and stagnant that time of year. Campfires will be restricted most likely.




If you dig 1970’s music, here’s a video of a flight from Bandon to Powers last year:

It reached 100F in Grants Pass today @ 03:00PDT. Powers would be about the same. Note: Sexton Summit is noticeably cooler because of it’s elevation (2832’). Powers has little wind because it’s nestled in a deep valley which retains heat! I personally would not camp right now (or not until Fall). Better to stay at the Holiday Inn with air conditioning and order Domino’s Pizza.

We are definitely going to check the mercury before committing to a camping location. It is going to be hot everywhere this weekend. We may get lucky and have nice cooler temps - but I definitely would consider a higher elevation airport. Maybe Toketee state. Or just camp on the field at Shelter Cove.



Josh

Dog is my Copilot wrote:We are definitely going to check the mercury before committing to a camping location. It is going to be hot everywhere this weekend. We may get lucky and have nice cooler temps - but I definitely would consider a higher elevation airport. Maybe Toketee state. Or just camp on the field at Shelter Cove.
Josh

I really like Powers! But, my last camping trip there was remarkably hot! Winter months the valley is surrounded by snow capped peaks at times. Spring season is generally when the river is flowing best. Toketee will be cooler and has a lot more room to explore. Powers is completely surrounded by private parcel land but, very nice folks introduced themselves and brought me free firewood.

Dog is my Copilot wrote: My friend wants to see Shelter Cove - weather permitting.

Josh

I was at Shelter Cove 2 weeks ago - the restaurant/brewery at the airport was packed and you had to have reservations. We convinced them to let us get some appetizers and a drink then sat on a bench and watched the live music they had. There are two dirt strips right on the pacific ocean about 6.5 miles or so north of Shelter Cove - we did a low pass and there were some people camping there and they were waving us in - but without knowing the owner and having explicit permission my buddy didn't want to land (I was riding right seat so it was his call). If you look on google maps (black rock and shubrick rock) you can see the two strips, right next to each other, seperated by Big Flat Creek - both had wind socks and looked in good shape. I sure would like to find out the owner and get permission it would be a nice place to land and even camp out.

If you land at Big Flat without permission (which is never given) it won’t go well for you or your airplane. Any strips you may find in that neck of the woods you best be invited to or plan on walking out . IF they let you walk out . Not any area to just drop into .

Inn of The Lost Coast is a nice place to stay at in Shelter cove. It’s only about a 1/4 mile walk from the north parking ramp. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there but they also had a courtesy van for pilots. Unfortunately there’s not really any unpaved public use strips in the area to explore. Gravelly Valley would be the closest one and I’m sure it’ll be hot there.

low rider wrote:If you land at Big Flat without permission (which is never given) it won’t go well for you or your airplane. Any strips you may find in that neck of the woods you best be invited to or plan on walking out . IF they let you walk out . Not any area to just drop into .

yowzer - yep I'm not one to land without permission. There were probably 8-10 tents and 20 or so people on the ground. Maybe they thought we were there to pick up the harvest...

Agreed - not wise to land on private property without permission out there. Last time I flew into Shelter Cove you could smell the marijuana in the air on the airport. It is in the heart of THC land and I think the locals are very protective of their territory. There was an interesting show on Netflix called Murder Mountain about this area of California. It is fairly lawless out there. Gorgeous place though and my friend wants to fly there. I do not believe you have to have permission to camp on the field - but I will call the airport manager beforehand. The problem with Shelter Cove is the low ceilings and IFR conditions that seem to be present most days - especially in the summer. That's why we were thinking we would camp nearby then fly in for a few hours before the fog rolls back in.



Josh

If you didn’t know, there’s some webcams at shelter cove. I always looked at these before flying out there.

https://innofthelostcoast.com/shelter-c ... e-webcams/